Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephen Gera.
Born in 1978 in the Show Me State, Steve moved from Missouri to California as a platoon commander in the United States Marine Corps. After serving in the Marines he accepted a position in “moneyball” from the San Diego Chargers. He then moved on to the Cleveland Browns as the Head of Innovation for the club before becoming a consultant to multiple global teams.
Steve left the Browns following the implosion of 2014 and embarked upon a sports sabbatical over the next 18 months. During this time, he worked with over 100 different sports clubs, military units, musicians, artists, executives, startups, and investors while on a search for amazing ideas and people. Along the way he founded a company, launched an agency, and become an expert in the intersection of technology, sport, and innovation. He is now the Co-Founder of Gains Group, a sports + technology agency, and Head Scout for HickoryVC.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all! The road has been a series of pivots and constant struggle to get to yes.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Gains Group – what should we know?
We exist to help athletes, teams and brands maximize the value of technology and data. We turn unconnected organizations into partners and innovative ideas into things you can touch.
The thing we are most proud of as a company is that we do not engage in innovation theater – we create real value in emerging technology.
Strategic Services: We advise teams, athletes, and brands on how to create value with technology and data.
We make your investments into technology and data thrive.
Focus your organization with a feasible vision. Design a clear plan that amplifies both team performance and business fundamentals. Execute. We help you create profitable outputs on both the commercial and performance sides of sport.
Data Production Studio: Organize, value, and monetize all of your data.
The next evolution of sport will be driven not by buzzwords like OTT, but by the convergence of fan data with athlete performance data.
Fan Data: Build communities + Distribute content + Manage fans = Data that gives you new streams for marketing, merchandise, and advertising dollars.
Performance Data: Develop custom on and off-field metrics + Create a better understanding of your game = Wins.
We help our partners tell a story with their data.
Creative Lab: Creative experiences and innovations you can touch.
Everyone should have an innovation lab – ours is for hire.
Our innovation team solves real problems by bringing experts from high performance fields together to connect, question, and experiment our way to your next breakthrough.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My partner Dave Anderson – he’s the man!
Son of a recluse engineer and a hippy that made it to the NFL as a 5 “10 white WR. Understands how data + technology make their way onto the field and into the hands of fans as good as anyone. Got his MBA in data sciences after 7 years in the NFL and took a job with a tiny start-up called Second Spectrum that is changing the way fans view data. If raw data is on one side and the end user is on the other- Dave is the trolley that brings it across. Dave focuses on data evaluation and monetization.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12655 W. Jefferson Blvd
- Website: gainsgroup.com
- Email: [email protected]
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